Here's where the ceremony wraps up!
Chapter 20: Closing Ceremony
The next day comes around and everyone's gearing up for the big finale for the closing ceremony of the kung-fu competition and as Musaki was walking past them, almost everyone stopped and turned to him, just giving him a massive applause for his efforts while cheering him on, still believing that he's a first-place winner in that competition. Musaki stopped and saw all of them cheering for him despite the fact that he finished second place and didn't know what to make of it.
"What's going on here?" Musaki asked, confusedly.
Mango stepped forward and stood towards Musaki and said, "You have got yourself a gift, Xing-Fu. Never stop believing in yourself."
Musaki figured that Mango was referring to his second-place finish at the competition and he could see that everyone is happy for him, no matter what he does.
"Listen, I don't really care about winning or getting all the accolades from China. All I want to do is just do a good job and like I said, even if I don't win, I'm still honored to even be here." Musaki answered.
"That's right. You are." one monkey said.
Musaki definitely felt humbled above anything and he figured he has all of Shanghai Secluded Valley to back him up and still support him and Mango went on to say, "We are all very proud of you."
"Aw, why me? if anything, you should be happy for Liu Shang." Musaki said, modestly.
"We are...but after seeing both of you, we can all learn a thing or two from all this; there's no greater battle that teamwork and friendship. And nothing can stand in the way of that. You two are the clear winner to us and Xing-Fu...you'll always be a winner in our hearts."
Hearing that really warmed up Musaki's heart the most as the entire valley bowed to him and he took it as a way of saying that he has all of his father's traits; loyalty, determination but most importantly; a very good heart. He bowed to them back and said, "I'm glad to have all of you guys back into my life. I feel as though I've already won the best prize; some supporters."
As Musaki walked away feeling light-hearted, in comes Liu Shang and Taji coming by and as they caught up with him, Liu still felt happy and Taji was very excited and Musaki said, "What's up, guys?"
"Not much. For some reason, every girl in this valley has admitted to having a crush on Liu Shang." Taji added.
Liu started blushing after Taji gave this information away and Musaki looks at him and said, "Liu! Sounds like you're quite the charmer here."
"It's nothing." Liu said, embarassedly.
Musaki chuckled at this and said, "Dude, it's cool to win, but try not to let all of this get into your head. Just stay true to who you are and never lose sight of it."
Liu chuckled softly and said, "I won't...and it's all because of you. You pretty much gave me courage, strength and the ability to go with what I wanted to do in the first place...and I did. And all I did is believe in myself."
Taji was surprised to hear that Musaki gave Liu Shang some encourgaing words to boost himself up for finishing what he set out to do and ended up winning the entire thing and he said, "You're like a young Sensei, aren't ya?"
Musaki chuckled softly at this and he said, "Living in the Jade Palace has helped me into doing some soul-searching and also helped me to believe in myself in doing kung-fu. It also rekindles my perspective on life and led me to find my purpose to be optimistic about my future."
Taji looked at Musaki and he said, "So basically, you're like a philosopher or something."
"Something like that." Musaki answered.
Just then, they seek Cody, Samurai, Tsunami, Phoenix, Max, Arizona and Mako come forward and saw Musaki there with Liu Shang and Taji and all Musaki could say is, "Hey, guys. What's up?"
Most of them were expecting Musaki a little disappointed that he didn't win, but from the look on Musaki's face, he was anything but disappointed and Arizona went forward and said, "Dude, I'm so sorry that you lost."
"Hey, don't be. It had to happen sometime...even though I got the best skills and moves, I'm still honored to be there." Musaki answered.
Mako looks at his nephew and sees that the loss didn't make a dent in his optimistic personality and he said, "You know, your dad has won or lost a round, but whatever the result ends up being, he doesn't let anything like this get to his head and I could see that the same effect has passed on. But congrats on being the 20th family member to just participate in this competition. I can tell that you've made it this far and all that matters is that we're very proud of you."
Samurai came towards him and said, "That speech you gave out...I can tell that you can take whatever life throws at you and still keep going after you fall down."
"It speaks from the heart." Musaki added.
Then, Samurai's eyes shifted from Musaki to Liu Shang and he got down to his level and said, "Congratulations, Liu Shang. Your moves are freakin' awesome, but not as awesome as my cuz."
Liu Shang chuckled softly and offered his paw to him and said, "I'm honored to have battled your cousin."
Everyone else shook Liu Shang's paw and also Taji while congratulating them on their awesome efforts during the competition round Max went forward to Liu Shang and said, "You're very lucky to win."
"It's not about luck. It's about believing in myself. That's how it got me to where I am. I had to follow my dreams and my heart and I guess I never expected any of this to happen because I thought that I would just come in and show off my skills to everyone." Liu Shang explains.
Mako smiled at the young lion and said, "Both you and my nephew have a future ahead of you."
"So...are you guys excited about the closing ceremony tonight?" asked Cody.
Liu Shang, Musaki and Taji looked at each other and said, in unison, "You bet we are!"
Rai Song Stadium
As sunset falls down on Shanghai Secluded Valley, everyone in the entire valley were looking forward to come out and celebrate the entire night to close off this amazing ceremony and as Musaki, Liu Shang and Taji walked inside the arena, they saw the last three finalists; Jaa, Mojag and Kang-Dae standing there and all of a sudden, Mojag comes forward to Musaki and all Musaki could say, "Look, Liu won fair and square, man. There's no need for a rematch."
"Dude, I wasn't gonna say that. That little speech you made last night...it was actually pretty cool." Mojag stated.
Musaki didn't expect Mojag to say something like this to him and he said, "Thanks."
"For a skinny panda."
Musaki lets it slide for a while and suddenly, Mojag sticks out his hand in hopes for a handshake to make sure that they're cool and without hesitation, Musaki shook his hand and Mojag said, "Maybe if you can teach me those moves, I can use it in another sparring competition."
"Well...only if you're in the Valley of Peace." Musaki added.
Just then, Kang-Dae looks at Musaki and just lets out an angry stare, realizing that he's still not over being in fifth place and that Liu Shang didn't really deserve it and said, "You still make me sick, panda."
Then, the jackal turns to Liu Shang and just said nothing, but a scoff at him thinking that the young lion did not deserve it. Suddenly, Jaa comes forward stares at both Musaki and Liu Shang and had no idea that they're still friends even after this battle and he said, "How can you two still be friends after this battle is over?"
"We just are. The results of the competition still doesn't change us either way. As I've said a million times, it's an honor just to be here and we'll take in whatever comes our way." Musaki added.
"Yeah, it's because of him that I believed in myself and it got me where I am now." Liu Shang added.
"But no matter what, it's just a simple tournament."
That left Jaa completely confused but burning inside with rage that he came in last place and merely snarled at him as he walks off and Taji looks at them and turns to Musaki and said, "Well, at least we all handled it very maturely."
Just then, all six of the finalists as well as the other contestants that came to battle on the first week walked into the arena for the final time, facing the entire crowd and waving at them. They all came around and gave each other a handshake and high-fives for their effort, congratulating them for making it this far. Kang-Dae and jaa were reluctant to shake Musaki and Liu Shang's hand because they didn't really deserve to lose, but shook it anyway.
Suddenly, Oak Sung came forward to the stage and he said, "Good evening! I am extremely humbled and honored to see you all come forward to this celebrated occasion. And for our six finalists, it's an honor to see you all come forward and to know you've come a long way since day one. And I am proud to close out this ceremony with a huge party!"
The crowd cheered loudly and suddenly, there was music playing everywhere and suddenly, Musaki stepped towards the stage, planning to show them that he did more than kung-fu...he started singing to the crowd.
"I know you guys didn't expect me for this, but I wrote a song while I was here and this is dedicated to my friends, family and also...the finalists and it's still an honor for me to even come here and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm really glad I took it. So I hope you enjoy this."
The drum starts beating and everyone in the crowd was curious about his second talent, Musaki started to sing.
Give me a second I,
I need to get my story straight
My friends and I are in the sky, flying higher than the Empire State
My family's out there waiting for me, not so very far
My position's been taken by some opportunity to heal my past scar, and
I know I told myself this months ago
I know I'm trying not to forget
But between the skills and subtle things
The choices in my victory, you know
I'm trying hard not to look back
So if by the time it's all over
And I feel like falling down
I'll find my way home
Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Now I know that I'm not
All that I got
I guess that I, I just thought
Maybe I could find a new way to follow my heart
But my friends got my back
So let's raise a fist
'Cause I found someone to find my way home
Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Just then, the crowd starts singing along with Musaki.
Find my way home tonight (Nananananana)
Just find my way home tonight (Nananananana)
Find my way home tonight (Nananananana)
Just find my way home tonight (Nananananana)
The world is on my side
I have no reason to run
So will someone come and help me find my way home tonight
Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
So if by the time it's all over
And I feel like falling down
I'll find my way home tonight
The crowd cheered and applauded at Musaki's performance and all he did was take a bow and even some of his finalists were blown away by it and as he got off the stage, everyone celebrated the night away and they played a lot of dance music while everyone was dancing to the beat of it. Even Liu Shang and taji got into Musaki's breakdancing moves and joined in as well. Not only that, but Musaki's cousins and friends joined in as well, having fun and finally letting loose.
And suddenly, they seek fireworks popping out of nowhere and all they could do is just enjoy the view and enjoy a huge array of victory.
The next morning, Musaki walked to the Rai Song Stadium by himself, just looking around for a while and all of the memories of the competition played on his mind as he felt like the experience changed his life for the better and he always wanted to come out as a strong warrior. But he came out more than that...he came out as a very humble and grateful warrior.
"Wow. The aftermath looks insane from here."
Musaki turns around and sees Liu Shang come in the arena and both of them looked at each other for a while and Musaki said, "Yeah, looks like it."
"Hey, Musaki. We had a lot of fun here, didn't we?" Liu Shang asked.
Musaki chuckled softly and said, "You bet we did. You planning on coming back to your village?"
Liu Shang stared at him for a bit and lets out a heavy sigh and said, "Actually, I'm thinking about staying here."
That surprised him to the core to hear Liu say that he's staying in Shanghai Secluded Valley and asked, "Really? What made you tihnk that way?"
"Honestly, there are really good people here and to me, it's like a family aspect here. What's good about that...is that I made new friends."
Musaki smiled at Liu Shang for a minute and figured that the best thing that Liu did while coming to Shanghai Secluded Valley is meeting Musaki and being friends with him and with that, they hugged each other tightly and Musaki said, "You're gonna love it here."
Just then, in comes Arizona and Shao coming by the arena and Arizona said, "Hey, guys. How's it going?"
They looked up and saw Arizona and Shao standing there alongside Shin Hai and Liu Shang said, "Pretty good, actually."
"Hey, Liu. Congrats, man. You're gonna like living in Shanghai Secluded Valley." Shin Hai said, happily.
Shao looks up and said, "Saki, you'll always be a winner to all of us, even me. And in here...we still love ya, man."
Musaki smiled at Shao and said, "Thanks, Shao."
Arizona walks up to Musaki and tells him, "I think we might as well head back to the Valley of Peace."
Liu Shang walks over to him and asked, "Do you really have to go?"
Musaki sighed and replied, "Yeah, I have to. But we will see each other again."
All of them walked out of the stadium, feeling victorious already, but to Musaki, he felt like he's more victorious than he ever has...because he has family and friends to support and will always come home to.
Was that awesome or what? With the dance music, I imagined 'Till the World Ends' from Britney Spears or 'Tonight Tonight' from Hot Chelle Rae. What's a better dance song? Also, the song Musaki sung is 'We Are Young' from fun. I changed up the lyrics for that one. There's more coming up!